01 May The three best fitness classes at Virgin Active Australia

Virgin Active Australia is a step above other gyms and now has several branches across Australia – and a heap of awesome classes. 

The UK-born gym chain is expanding fast Down Under and I couldn’t be happier.

At Virgin Active Australia, fitness is always fun, varied and challenging, making sure to keep you progressing no matter your level.

Deni in Butterfly during Amber’s AniGravity class at Virgin Active Australia Collins Street in Melbourne – Bikini Girls Diary / Deni Kirkova

I’ve been training at both Melbourne branches – Bourke Street and Collins.

Here are my three favourite classes and why I love them.

AntiGravity Yoga

I’m always so excited to come to AntiGravity Yoga with Amber at Collins Street on a Tuesday afternoon.

In this beginner class, you’re taught how to do some pretty nifty stuff including inversions, stretches and ‘swooshes’ thanks to easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.

My favourite shapes are Butterfly, Swoosh and Handstand – each challenging in their own way and all making me feel like I’ve run away with the circus. Next; proper silks.

This one is simply called ‘Swoosh’ – Bikini Girls Diary / Deni Kirkova

From here, I’m keen to progress to the Yoga 1 and Fitness versions, where things get even more acrobatic and intense for a more challenging workout.

Kinesis

With my fitness background including fitness competitions, I’m seasoned in resistance workouts and convinced by their efficacy. But lifting a barbell up and down 3x a week can get mundane.

This is why I was so excited when I heard about Kinesis and their unique pulley machines that work the body in all dimensions and planes of movement.

The 30-minute circuit class at Bourke Street combines bodyweight work with balancing on BOSU and Swiss balls, and of course resistance work on the equipment.

The Grid

This partner-work class where you can burn 500 calories in just 30 minutes is exclusive to Virgin Active Australia here in Melbourne, and comes in four versions: Grid Active, Grid Fit, Grid Lean and Grid Strong.

In each one you’re split into pairs and then grouped. While you work through a number of reps of one exercise, you partner performs another, then you swap. The gym floor is painted in a grid pattern, allocating a space for each pair to train.

While the premise of the class – rigid structure and intense exercise – can be intimidating, the parter work makes it motivating and enjoyable. Your mate is there to encourage you on to finish those last few reps and high five you at the end of your set.

The Grid is unique to Virgin Active Australia here in Melbourne – Bikini Girls Diary / Deni Kirkova

So there you have it, my favourite classes at Virgin Active Australia: lots of bodyweight work, resistance, some cardio and a good upside-down stretch ensuring a full-body workout week after week.

That’s until you want to progress onto a more intense class or switch it up completely.

Stay tuned for my fitness journey updates out here in Melbourne…

Deni xo